INORGANIC CHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site zirconium (Zr) A silvery-white, metallic element in group IVB of the periodic table; zirconium is a transition element. It was discovered in 1789 by Martin Klaproth in Berlin; its name comes from the Arabic zargun meaning "gold color." Zirconium occurs naturally as baddeleyite (ZrO2) and zircon; the metal is extracted by reducing zirconium (IV) chloride with magnesium. It is chemically similar to titanium, and is corrosion-resistant at ordinary temperatures, owing to an inert oxide layer, but reactive at high temperatures. Its most common isotope is 90Zr (51.46%) Zirconium is used in photographic flash bulbs, to clad uranium fuel elements in nuclear reactors, and to make surgical implants, including tooth implants. The refractory oxide is used for ceramics, and other zirconium compounds are used in phramaceuticals and as mordants in dyeing. atomic number 40 relative atomic mass 91.2 relative density 6.49 (20°C) melting point 1,852°C (3,366°F) boiling point 4,377°C (7,911°F) Related category    • INORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP